Author: Bobbie

Fans of Kevin Hearne are excited and heartbroken (if it is possible to be both) at the announcement of the final installment in the Iron Druid series. Fans of mythology, talking Irish wolfhounds and great storytelling will love this series. It is set in our world (the first couple of books are set in Tempe, Arizona) where supernatural creatures exist, such as witches, vampires, werewolves, as well as gods and goddesses from various mythologies. The series is told in the first-person point-of-view of Atticus O’Sullivan (aka. Siodhachan O Suileabhain), a Druid who owns and runs an occult bookshop, Third Eye Books and Herbs, as he gets embroiled in the day-to-day struggle of gods and goddesses and other supernatural creatures. I have truly enjoyed this series. I will certainly mourn the loss of Atticus and his dog Oberon. Visit Kevin’s webpage at https://kevinhearne.com/ for more entertaining antics and info written by the dog.

The following open letter is from Kevin to his fans announcing SCOURGED:

Hey there, Spiffy Humans!

It’s a bit bewildering to be writing this letter to you. When I began writing Hounded in 2008, I had no idea that I was beginning a ten-year odyssey that would see the publication of nine Iron Druid novels, five novellas, and myriad short stories. I wrote Hounded to scratch several itches: the desire to present Irish paganism in more depth than a couple of its more popular goddesses, while simultaneously presenting all faiths as equally valid; to geek out about pop culture one moment and Shakespeare the next; speculate about what a long life would do to the psyche of humans and gods; and to indulge my boundless affection for doggies and their infinite appreciation of simple things.

I figure we could all stand to be reminded that simple pleasures are the best, and that’s part of the reason why Oberon the Irish wolfhound has become so popular. What’s not to like about sausage and gravy? Or poodles, for that matter. Belly rubs and naps. And maybe just a dash of conspiracy theory for drama, like the absolute fact that squirrels are most definitely planning to kill us all, and somewhere on the outskirts of Seattle, a scientist in a secret lab has created the Triple Nonfat Double Bacon Five-Cheese Mocha. Living in the present for such pleasures is the key to achieving a hound’s best life, and Oberon reminds Atticus that despite the trials of his past, much remains to be loved today-right now!-and we, too, could use a friend like him to point out that even in the midst of a rather rough world, there is still plenty in this moment to savor and cherish.

I certainly hope you’ll savor the last book of the Iron Druid Chronicles, Scourged, which wraps up many of the series’ long-running conflicts and leaves us with the possibility of revisiting the world later on. I’m currently working on two other series (The Seven Kennings and the Tales of Pell with Delilah S. Dawson), but there is room for further adventures should my schedule (and the Muses) allow. But this particular story arc with Atticus has been building to a head for a long while. Seeds of the final conflict and its resolution can be seen not only in the previous books, but in short stories like “The Chapel Perilous” that I originally wrote for an anthology, novellas like Grimoire of the Lamb, and most especially “Cuddle Dungeon,” a story I wrote for the Besieged collection.

It’s been a tremendous privilege to write these books and I thank you all for reading. May harmony (and sausage) find you.

The library offers so much more than recreational reading material. We have lots of resources to help you get stuff done, and have fun! Whether you like to hike, fish, garden, tinker or go antiquing we have what you need to make the most of everything you do.

Sky & Telescope – The complete resource for amateur astronomers for over 70 years, Sky & Telescope provides readers with information on observing the sky, offering reviews and buyer’s guide information on the latest products as well as tips, how-to’s and much more.

Field & Stream– America’s Number One sportsman’s magazine, featuring in-depth articles on hunting, fishing, outdoor adventure, and conservation news. First-class fiction, and more. Field & Stream, editorial excellence for over 100 years.

Popular Mechanics – Popular Mechanics is for people who have a passion to know how things work. It’s about how the latest advances in science and technology will impact your home, your car, consumer electronics, computers, even your health. Popular Mechanics – answers for curious minds.

Backwoods Home – Backwoods Home Magazine is written for people who have a desire to pursue personal independence, self-sufficiency, and their dreams. We offer “how-to” articles on owner-built housing, independent energy, gardening, health, self-employment, country living, and other topics related to an independent and self-reliant lifestyle.

Family Handyman – The #1 magazine for Do-it-yourself homeowners. Step-by-step maintenance, repair and improvement projects, plus tool skills, DIY tips, and product buying advice. Lots of great ideas on storage, weekend projects, improving your yard, woodworking, and décor. Cut the cost of owning a home and enjoy the satisfaction of doing it yourself!

Antiques – The Magazine Antiques brings you the fascinating worlds of architecture, interior design, and fine and decorative artsfrom the dawn of civilization to the modern era.You’ll learn about private collections and museums around the world that highlight the latest trends in collecting and decorating with antiques.

Backpacker – Magazine of wilderness travel offering practical “you can do it–here’s how” advice to enjoy every trip. Filled with the best places, gear and information for all kinds of hiking and camping trips with fold-out maps and stunning color photography.

Bicycling – Since 1962, bicycling has been inspiring people to get more out of their cycling passion. Each action-packed issue is filled with proven secrets to go faster, stronger, longer. Increase your stamina; buy the best gear for your money; locate a great ride; improve your performance; perfect your technique; fuel your passion.

The list of great resources goes on and on. Stop by and see if we have what you you need.

Rockton

ADULT / MYSTERY / SERIES

Don’t look for Rockton on any map of the Yukon. This tiny, off-the-grid town doesn’t exist. Neither do the people in it. They’re all on the run from their pasts, needing a place where they can disappear for a few years.

Casey’s best friend, Diana, is on the run from a violent, abusive ex-husband. When Diana’s husband finds her, and Casey herself is attacked shortly after, Casey knows it’s time for the two of them to disappear again.

Diana has heard of a town made for people like her, a town that takes in people on the run who want to shed their old lives. You must apply to live in Rockton and if you’re accepted, it means walking away entirely from your old life, and living off the grid in the wilds of Canada: no cell phones, no Internet, no mail, no computers, very little electricity, and no way of getting in or out without the town council’s approval. As a murderer, Casey isn’t a good candidate, but she has something they want: She’s a homicide detective, and Rockton has just had its first real murder. She and Diana are in. However, soon after arriving, Casey realizes that the identity of a murderer isn’t the only secret Rockton is hiding—in fact, she starts to wonder if she and Diana might be in even more danger in Rockton than they were in their old lives.

I am currently reading book three and have truly enjoyed this series. The setting is perfect for a good mystery and the character of Casey is believable, flawed, but very much likeable nonetheless.

Did you know March is National Craft Month? Get the whole family involved with kid-friendly paper crafts, from origami animals to tissue-paper pom-poms. Use leftover fabric and wooden beads to create a dazzling DIY necklace that will be the envy of all your friends. “Upcycle” old furniture and decor odds and ends using decoupage. Embrace your needle and thread and stitch your way through National Craft Month — making handmade phone covers, friendly stuffed animals, and so much more. Everything you need to know you can find out at your library. On the shelves and online we have a great selection of craft how-to books filled with ideas galore.

If you are looking for an affordable and enjoyable hobby for the whole family, bird-watching might be right for you. Bird-watching works for the very active and the not so active (I fall into the latter category). All you need to start is a pair of binoculars (cheap ones will work as starters) pen and paper (to record all your great sightings), a good field guide and a love for nature. While aching knees or backs will eventually force your friends to hang up their skis or running shoes, birders can bird for as long as they can walk, roll, or look out a window (I’m genuinely excited to impress my roommates at whatever nursing home I eventually get put into). When I’m feeling very energetic I head for the woods or the river for a long walk, but most often it’s a tall glass of iced tea watching the bird feeders from my deck chair! This year my favorite sightings included a pileated woodpecker (Woody Woodpecker), a Ruby-throated hummingbird, and a Baltimore Oriole.

A great website for information is http://www.audubon.org/birding/. The Library offers many resources on birds, including;

Ancestry.com offers a wide and diverse variety of content allowing you to trace your family history and lineage. This includes the complete Federal Census from 1790 through 1930, an Immigration Collection, Court Records, Military Records through WWI, and other diverse family and local history records. Roy Lambert, our Local History expert will walk you through how to use this marvelous resource to trace your family tree, or just discover more about that one elusive relative.

Clear your library fines and help those in need, it’s a win, win situation for everyone!

The month of February is National Love Your Library Month as well as National Canned Food Month. February 1st through 28th, the Aurora Public Library District is accepting canned food items in lieu of fines. For every can you bring in, $1.00 will be taken from your fines. So, if you owe $3.30 and you bring in 4 cans, then your fines will be completely wiped clean! There is no limit on how many cans you bring in, so if your fines are higher, you can bring as many cans as you need to. All of the cans collected at the Aurora Public Library will be given to the Aurora Clearing House Food Pantry. Cans collected at the Dillsboro Public Library will go to the Dillsboro Food Pantry. Even if you don’t owe any fines, we will gladly accept any donations you would like to give. Help share and spread the love by participating in Cans for Fines.

The new Indiana Digital Download Center powered by Overdrive is a completely refreshed website and app experience that makes your digital library faster and easier to use than ever before.

We’re currently updating our library to the new IDDC. The preview is available now. Go to the library website, click Digital Downloads, then the click the Overdrive Preview Banner that appears at the bottom of the page. It’s that simple! Explore the new layout and the new functions and features.

Jim was born October 26, 1971. He is best known for his contemporary fantasy book series The Dresden Files. He is also the author of the Codex Alera series, and the Cinder Spires series. Butcher was born in Independence, Missouri. He is the youngest of three children, having two older sisters. He still lives in Independence, and has one son.

While he was sick with strep throat as a child, Butcher’s sisters introduced him to The Lord of the Rings and The Han Solo Adventures novels to pass the time, thus beginning his fascination with fantasy and science fiction. As a teenager, he completed his first novel and set out to become a writer. After many unsuccessful attempts to enter the traditional fantasy genre (he cites J. R. R. Tolkien, Lloyd Alexander, and C. S. Lewis, among others, as major influences), he wrote the first book in The Dresden Files—about a professional wizard, named Harry Dresden, in modern-day Chicago—as an exercise for a writing course in 1996 at the age of 25. For two years, Butcher floated his manuscript among various publishers before hitting the convention circuit to make contacts in the industry. After meeting Butcher in person, Ricia Mainhardt, the agent who discovered Laurell K. Hamilton, agreed to represent him, which kick-started his writing career.

Genre:Adult books for young adults; Fantasy mysteries; Hardboiled fiction; Urban fantasyCharacter:Flawed; Large cast of characters; Quirky; SnarkyPace:Fast-pacedTone:Strong sense of place

We meet Harry in the midst of a bit of a dry spell, with his rent overdue and no cases on the horizon. He’s also in a bit of trouble. The White Council, the organization that governs wizards, has a close eye on Harry because he killed his teacher. The First Law of Magic prohibits wizards from using magic to kill. Normally breaking the law carries a death sentence, but Harry did so in self defense and so is under the Doom of Damocles, a kind of probation.

The case starts, as these things often do, with a woman. Or rather two. Butcher’s gift for layering plots gives us the traditional damsel in distress—Monica Sells who wants Harry to find her husband—as well as a job for the police department and specifically Karrin Murphy, the head of the Special Investigations department of the Chicago PD, the cops who deal with things that go bump in the night. Harry’s relationship with Murphy is somewhat prickly, but respectful.

I chose Mr. Butcher to represent the letter B because I am currently reading the Dresden files and enjoying them immensely. If you are a fan of Urban Fantasy, Jim is a must for your reading list. As always a big thank you to Novelist and goodreads, these sites make my job easier and make finding my next book fun and easy.

Jussi Adler-Olsen

Carl Valdemar Jussi Henry Adler-Olsen (born August 2, 1950) is a Danish writer of crime fiction, as well as a publisher, editor and entrepreneur. Jussi made his debut as a fiction writer in 1997.

Born in Copenhagen, he was the youngest of four children and the only boy. Son of the successful sexologist and psychiatrist Henry Olsen, he spent his childhood with his family in doctors’ official residences at several mental hospitals across Denmark. In his late teens, he played in a pop group as lead guitarist. He graduated from high school in 1970, from 1970-78 he studied medicine, sociology and film making .

Jussi Adler-Olsen is Denmark’s #1 crime writer and a New York Times bestselling author. His books routinely top the bestseller lists in Europe and have sold more than fifteen million copies around the world. His many significant Nordic crime-writing awards include the Glass Key Award, also won by Henning Mankell, Jo Nesbø, Stieg Larsson, and Peter Hoeg. His writing is fast-paced, with inventive plotting and visceral psychology, with flashes of humor.

On a beautiful winter’s day the young, progressive politician Merete Lynggaard disappears without a trace. The media are all over the story with their headlines suggesting everything from murder and suicide to a planned voluntary disappearance. The police immediately commence a large-scale investigation, alas with no result. Merete Lynggaard has vanished from the face of the earth.

Not until Carl Mørck , the deputy detective superintendent who has been through a lot in his time, is put in charge of the new department for “cases of special focus” is there a major breakthrough in the investigation. Soon Carl and his assistant Assad are tracing a reckless criminal, who driven by hate has set up an insane scheme.

Reviews

“Plan on putting everything else in your life on hold if you pick up this book.” — The Oregonian

“Far from being just another morose Nordic crime writer, Adler-Olsen creates a detective whose curiosity is as active as his soul is tortured.” — Library Journal (starred review)

“Adler-Olsen’s prose is superior to Larsson’s, his tortures are less discomfiting, and he has a sense of humor.” — Booklist (starred review)

“The new ‘it’ boy of Nordic Noir.” — The Times (London)

There are many, many wonderful writers whose last name starts with the letter A, I chose this particular author for my friend and previous co-worker Merlee. She enjoys crime novels and Mr. Adler-Olsen is a favorite. Look for the next in the Authors A to Z series-coming soon. I’d also like to credit two resources I use everyday to look up authors, series and to find recommendations.